Faculty
Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.
Department Chair
Julie De Haan, EdD, RN
Professor of Nursing | j-de-haan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Julie has a wide range of nursing experience including PICU, adult medical ICU, outpatient services, private duty, clinic nursing, and telemetry. Research interests include collaborative testing, use of exam item best practices, improving exam items to develop clinical judgment.
Faculty
Tara Cheath, MSN, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing | tac64455@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing
Diane Dahl Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Interim Dean of Healthcare Programs and Dean of Nursing; Chief Nursing Administrator | diane-dahl@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Diane has been involved in nursing education and leadership for 30 years. She is the Interim Dean of Healthcare Programs and Dean of Nursing and Chief Nursing Administrator. Her interests include curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and international programming.
Brooke Eischens, APRN, CNM
Instructor of Nursing | brooke-eischens@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Brooke has worked within obstetrics for eight years. First as a high-risk labor and delivery registered nurse (RN) and for the previous five years as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in a community birth setting. She has been an instructor of nursing at Bethel for five years, teaching primarily obstetric content in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings. Additionally, Brooke will be completing a Doctor of Education: Leadership in Higher Education degree from Bethel in 2025. . . . read more.
Bethany Gerdin, PhD, RN, CNE
Associate Professor of Nursing | andbet@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Bethany has 15 years of experience as a staff nurse in adult blood and marrow transplant (BMT). She completed her Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of MN in 2015. Her interests include ethics, end of life care, and surrogate decision making.
Carol Hargate
Professor of Nursing | c-hargate@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Interests include public health, academic and community collaboration/partnerships, intercultural learning, inter-professional education and practice, advance practice nursing,, health equity, and health policy.
Ann Holland
Professor of Nursing | ann-holland@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Professional work experiences in staff, education, and leadership roles in adult critical care; Academic leadership roles in associate-degree nursing education; Teaching in baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing education focused on adult medical/surgical nursing and nursing leadership
David Muhovich, M.P.H, M.S., RN
Associate Professor of Nursing | d-muhovich@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995
Dissertation research on models in advocacy nursing, to give voice to African nurses in the Twin Cities, Uganda, and Nigeria; exploring personal and system barriers to the advancement of nursing.
Jana Nohrenberg, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN
Associate Professor of Nursing | jana-nohrenberg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Clinical practice focus area adult critical care and trauma. Spent 10+ years in nursing leadership roles focused on empowering nursing staff to practice at the top of their licensure, growing future nurse leaders through coaching and mentorship, evidence-based practice, and healthy work environments. DNP concentration in nursing leadership and transition to practice for new graduate RNs.
Laura Nugteren MA, RN, CCRN
Associate Professor of Nursing | laura-nugteren@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Laura has over eighteen years working bedside in adult critical care and cardiovascular care with a special interest in cardiac surgery. She maintains certification in critical care nursing. Laura teaches in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical settings.
Sara Nylin, DNP, RNC
Associate Professor of Nursing | s-nylin@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Sara has twenty years of experience in OB nursing, primarily Labor & Delivery and High Risk OB. Her interests include cultural variations in the childbirth experience, the use of simulation in nursing education, and the needs of multilingual learners in nursing.
Kayla Skeate
Assistant Professor of Nursing | k-skeate@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Debbie Solomon, DNP, FNP-C, PHN
Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing | debra-solomon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
When not teaching at Bethel, Debbie works as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Practice and Educational interests include: public health nursing, community health, health education/health promotion, care coordination, community-based care, elder care, end of life care, diversity, and international health
Wendy Thompson, DNP, MPH, PHN, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing | wendy-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Dr. Thompson is the Program Director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program that launched in spring, 2019. She is thrilled to be a part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and has taught at Bethel University since 1998. Wendy has over 30 years of experience in public health nursing and healthcare administration. Her interests include nursing leadership, population-focused health care, community engagement, health equity, and healthcare finance. She also has experience in curriculu. . . read more.
Amy Witt, PhD, RN, CNE
Professor of Nursing | a-witt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Amy has a wide range of nursing experience, including surgical intensive care and trauma, medical surgical nursing, and forensic nursing as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She completed her Ph.D. in Nursing with the dissertation focus on the cultural competence of Baccalaureate nursing students. She previously served on the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Her current research interests include Collaborative Testing, Next Generation NCLEX item writing, and preparing students for safe practice . . . read more.
Adjunct Faculty
Brittany Anderson
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | brittany-anderson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Debbie Britt
Adjunct Assistant in Clinical Instruction of Nursing | deborah-britt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Debbie's work experience and passion is in neonatal intensive care and pediatric nursing. She loves working with babies, children, and families and considers it a privilege to be part of their care team. During her time teaching at Bethel, she has enjoyed leading junior med/surg clinicals, junior skills, senior pediatric clinicals, and coordinating for pediatric homecare experiences. In more recent years, she loves teaching pediatric simulation and overseeing senior Capstone students in p. . . read more.
Lauren Baker
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | lab89554@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Experience in Medical-Surgical/Progressive Care and Labor & Delivery nursing practice.
Sarah Carlson
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | nessar@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Emily Conrad
Adjunct Instructor in Nursing | behemi@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Adjunct Instructor in Nursing
Michell Daymond
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | daymic@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Mitchell Dorbor
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | dormit@Bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Dorbor believes he was created in the image of God. Thus he is a remarkable person with unwavering determination and a heart full of empathy and compassion. He inspires those around him to reach their highest potential in life, or professional development. He always sees challenges as stepping stones, not as blocks.
Lisa Fossum, MSN, PHN, RN
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | lif83754@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Molly Fredrickson
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | ottmol@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Meghan Hohenstein
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | meghan-hohenstein@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Meghan loves teaching in the BU Nursing Department as an adjunct faculty member. She serves as an OB clinical supervisor at St. John's Hospital and excitedly shares her passion for maternity/OB and newborn nursing. She also currently works full-time at Regions Hospital in St. Paul as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. She graduated with her B.S. from Northern Michigan Univerisity, double majoring in Nursing and Spanish and now she is currently pursuing her Master's degree in midwifery and Women's. . . read more.
Mackenzie Moe
Adjunct Instructor in Nursing | mca85235@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Adjunct Instructor in Nursing
Megan O'Brien
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | meo37232@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Janelle Shearer, MA, RN, PHN, CPHQ
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | janelle-shearer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Janelle's clinical experience includes work in home health, hospice, critical care units, medical-surgical, and obstetrics. Extensive experience leading quality improvement programs related to hospital, home health care, patient safety, and palliative care.
Mari Smitsdorff
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | m-smitsdorff@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Kayla Stinger
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | k-stinger@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing
Heather Vedders
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | heather-vedders@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Heather has twenty+ years of experience in pediatric nursing, primarily inpatient med/surg, neuroscience, behavioral health, hematology/oncology and school nursing.
Carrie Weiss
Adjunct Instructor of Nursing | carrie-weiss@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
An authentic and passionate nurse, Dr. Weiss has been in the healthcare field for over 15 years. Her diverse background includes working in the Emergency Department and as a Forensic Nurse. In addition, Dr. Weiss is known for starting the first mobile ECMO program in Minnesota, significantly reducing hospital falls, and implementing a multi-site suicide assessment tool in her role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is also a published author and speaks on stages across the U.S. on mental h. . . read more.
Emeritus/Emerita Faculty
Linda Anderson
Professor of Nursing Emerita | l-anderson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1990
Public health nursing, pediatrics, evidence-based practice, and health assessment. Special interest in preceptor development for public health nurses including school and faith community nurses.
Tim Bredow
Professor of Nursing Emeritus | bretim@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Family nurse practitioner at North Metro Pediatrics; co-editor of "Middle Range Theories: Application to Nursing Research"; interests in nursing as male profession and a Christian worldview of nursing
Connie Clark
Professor of Nursing Emerita | c-clark@bethel | Started at Bethel: 2009
Published research and presentations on professional socialization of nursing students, theory of socialization of clinical nursing faculty, and support needs of immigrant Somali mothers in Minnesota; co-authored article on online orientation; focus on leadership, research, and online learning; C.N.E
Karen Drake
Professor of Nursing Emerita | k-drake@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1993
Simulation, development of cultural competence through study abroad
Pamela Friesen
Associate Professor of Nursing Emerita | p-friesen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985
Specialty area of Women's Health; teaching in courses related to cultural diversity/cultural competence; ongoing research in promotion of undergraduate student success; contributing author for the Student TXT column in the Journal of Christian Nursing.
Maureen Juarez
Assistant Professor of Nursing Emerita | m-juarez@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1984
Assistant Professor of Nursing Emerita
Nancy Olen
Professor of Nursing Emerita | n-olen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1982
Professor of Nursing Emerita
Beth Peterson
Professor of Nursing Emerita | e-peterson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1982
Dr. Peterson's areas of interest include mental health nursing, nursing care of the elderly, gerontology, end of life care, nursing curriculum development and assessment, and the theology of suffering. Her publications and presentations primarily focus on faith and health integration, suffering, and professional boundaries.
Sandra Peterson
Professor of Nursing Emerita | sj-peterson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1981
Professor of Nursing Emerita
Marjorie Schaffer
University Professor of Nursing Emerita | m-schaffer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1984
University Professor of Nursing Emerita
Jone Tiffany
Professor of Nursing Emerita | tifjon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Dr. Tiffany is a Professor of Nursing, Healthcare Education Consultant, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. In her academic role, she is involved in designing and implementing simulations in the lab and in virtual settings; the use educational technology; and teaches Innovations in Nursing Education and Nursing Informatics. She also chairs the Credentialing and Privileging sub-committee of the Board of Directors for the Fairview Care system in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Tiffany has presented n. . . read more.
Joann Wessman
Professor of Nursing Emerita | jwessman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Professor of Nursing Emerita